Instructions: Remove this page from the magazine, color the figures, and mount them on heavy paper; then cut out the figures and glue pieces of flannel on the backs. Read the scriptures listed, then retell the Book of Mormon story using the figures.

In an October general conference, Sister Grassli, the Primary General President, reported: “Nine-year-old Matt spoke in church about something he had learned from the scriptures that brought him peace. He said, ‘When my father told our family that we would be moving from Denver to Wisconsin, my mother reminded us of Lehi’s family. Like them, I was leaving the only home I had known, all my friends, my school, my ward. Luckily we were able to bring all our possessions with us, though they were in storage for three months, and we missed having a house and our “precious things.”

“ ‘My mother reminded us of how Nephi accepted this challenge—willingly—knowing that the Lord would “prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them” (See 1 Ne. 3:7.)

“ ‘I have learned that I can do without things, but not without my family. My brotheres and sisters and I have tried to be more like Nephi than his complaining brothers. I am grateful for the things that the Book of Mormon teaches us.’ ” (Ensign, November 1988, page 79.)

Matt was comforted by the story of Lehi’s family from the Book of Mormon. As you read or listen to stories from the scriptures, which of the stories bring you peace?

When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God (Mosiah 2:17).

Imagine that you are asked to keep a written record of the people of your country and to also write a shortened record of over one thousand years of their history. While you are doing this, your people are at war, and you must often hide to protect your writings. You may not use a typewriter or computer but must inscribe on metal plates so that your record can be safely buried in the earth.

Mormon kept a history of his people, and he also abridged, or shortened, the writings on the plates of Nephi. Because of this, his writings are called “The Book of Mormon.” You may never be asked to do what Mormon did, but no matter what hard things you face, you can be a valiant servant like Mormon.

Instructions

Read statements about Mormon, then number pictures to match story. (Color the pictures.)

1

A righteous man named Ammaron wrote about his people, then hid the record so that wicked people would not find it. (See 4 Ne. 1:47–49.)

2

When Mormon was ten years old, Ammaron told him where the records were and instructed Mormon to retrieve the plates of Nephi when he, Mormon, was twenty-four years old. (See Morm. 1:2–4.)

3

Mormon was a serious boy and obeyed God’s commandments. When he was fifteen, he was visited by the Savior. (See Morm. 1:15.)

4

Even though Mormon was only sixteen, he was a natural leader and was chosen to lead the Nephite armies, which he did for many years. (See Morm. 2:1–2.)

5

Eventually the Lamanites won more and more battles and forced the Nephites to the north. Mormon took the plates of Nephi from the hill Shim and began his own record on them. (See Morm. 2:3, 17.)

6

The Nephites were near destruction, but Mormon encouraged them to stand firm, and for ten years there were no wars. Mormon preached the gospel, but his people would not repent. (See Morm. 2:23–24; Morm. 3:1–3.)

7

When new battles began, the Nephites were victorious. They vowed to destroy all the Lamanites. Because of the Nephites’ wickedness, Mormon refused to lead them. (See Morm. 3:7–11.)

8

Later Mormon agreed to lead the Nephites into battle though he knew they would soon be destroyed. At the Hill Cumorah, he was wounded, and thousands were killed. (See Morm. 5:1; Morm. 6:1–10.)

9

Mormon hid most of the sacred records in the Hill Cumorah; he gave the gold plates to his son Moroni and charged him to finish the record. (See Morm. 6:6; Morm. 8:1.)

10

Years later Moroni hid the gold plates in the Hill Cumorah. In 1823 he showed them to Joseph Smith. Four years later Joseph began translating Mormon’s record.

Sharing Time Ideas

1. Enlarge pictures, and have children hold them out of sequence. Tell story, and have children arrange pictures in the correct order.

2. Provide copy of page for each child. Discuss with them Mormon’s service as they cut out pictures and glue them in correct order on colored paper.

3. Using dictionary, define valiant. Make chart with headings WHO and WHAT. Put Mormon’s name under WHO chart and have children tell what he did that was valiant. Add other Book of Mormon characters throughout year. Add names of valiant people whom the children know.

4. Sing related songs, such as “Called to Serve” (Hymns, no. 249) and “I Can Be Valiant” (Supplement to More Songs for Children, page 9).

5. Explain abridge by reading complete story to children and having them retell important parts in shorter version.

When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God (Mosiah 2:17).

King Benjamin was a righteous leader. He served his people and wanted them to keep the commandments. When he became old, he gathered his people at the temple to speak to them. The people brought their families and pitched their tents. Because there was such a multitude, King Benjamin had a tower built to speak from so that more people could hear his counsel. He had his words written down and sent among the people who couldn’t hear him. He wanted everyone to understand what they should do to be happy. King Benjamin loved his people. He set a good example for them, and they believed his words.

Today you can be a leader and help others live happily. You may never build a tower to speak from, but you can learn to lead your family and friends by righteously serving them.

Instructions

1. Cut out King Benjamin, empty scroll, statements, and tower.

2. Read statements about King Benjamin as you glue them between steps of tower. (Compare Mosiah 2 and Mosiah 4.) Cut slits marked with broken lines and place King Benjamin on tower between railing.

Loved his people and warned them not to rebel against God (See Mosiah 2:36–69.)

3. Find at least ten things in Mosiah 4 that King Benjamin taught his people. Write these on the scroll.

4. Make a list of some things that you might teach others by your example.

Sharing Time Ideas

1. Honor those who serve you righteously—family, church, school, community leaders. As a group or as individuals, children could write a letter, telling how they are trying to do what a particular leader, such as bishop, has taught them to do.

2. Pretend that you or children are leader(s) of new country. Discuss what rules and laws would be needed so that people living in new country would be happy.

3. Sing “Quiet Song” (Sing with Me, B-27). Emphasize words, “As we learn to do right, We are reverent in thy sight.”

Suppose that one day your father told you and your family that you were going on a journey. However, he did not know how long you would be gone or where you would be going. You would take only food and tents, and you would have no map to guide you. Would you be willing to follow your father? It would take great faith for you to agree to do what your father asked. Faith is one of the first principles of the gospel.

Read about Lehi’s journey to the promised land in 1 Nephi in the Book of Mormon. (See also calendar, page 24.) Heavenly Father guided Lehi’s family with a strange ball called the Liahona (lee-a-HO-nah). This ball was a kind of compass that worked according to the faith and obedience of Lehi and his family. When they were obedient, the spindles pointed in the direction that they were to travel and to places where they could find food. Writing would also appear on the Liahona to give them additional help. But when they were not faithful, or when they complained and quarreled, the Liahona would not work.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have a Liahona to tell us the things that we should do every day? We are told that our conscience can be compared to the Liahona and that our conscience can help us find the right way to live, according to our faith and our obedience to Heavenly Father’s commandments

3. In family home evening, stand up figures as you tell story of journey to promised land. Tell ways that each member of family did, or did not, show faith through their obedience. Do calendar activity on page 24.

Sharing Time Ideas

1. Prepare copies of dot-to-dot for younger children. While they connect dots, use family figures to tell story of Lehi’s journey.

2. Use calendar, page 24. Assign children verses to find and read. Enlarge calendar pictures for children to color. They could be shown in roller-box (see Friend, October 1981, pages 42–43) as verses are read.

Instructions: Remove this page from the magazine, color the figures, and mount them on heavy paper; then cut out the figures and glue pieces of flannel on the backs. Read the scriptures listed, then retell the story using the figures.